Jack Jouett of Albemarle 
The Paul Revere of Virginia 



"Whoever has journeyed from Eastern Virginia into the County of Al- 
bemarle must remember the rugged beauty of that region, and especially must 
he remember his first glimpse of Charlottesville. It nestles in a cup-like en- 
closure between the mountians, and is the centre of an impressive scene that 
gradually unfolds itself to the view of the traveller, as he passes the porter's 
lodge of Monticello and begins the descent into the valley below. Away to 
the westward, the cerulean peaks of the Blue Ridge run along the horizon; 
nearer are those uneven spurs of the former ridge, the Ragged Mountains 
mauve colored and sombre, silhouetteiagainst the azure of the larger range 
with a singular distinctness; and nearer yet at the feet of these, as they encircle 
the quaint old town with their straggling hills, is the white dome of Jefferson's 
Pantheon — the Rotunda of the University of Virginia — through this heavy rol- 
ling country and to this little town Captain Jack Jouett made his wonderful 
ride." 

Here Jack Jouett, the Paul Revere of Virginia, was born and here he 
died, and except for local tradition, references to him in some antiquated his- 
tories and the musty old records of the County, nothing remains to keep afresh 
the memory of this patriotic Virginian of Revolutionary days. 

In June, 1910, a bronze tablet, placed on the front wall of the Red Land 
Club, bearing the following inscription, was unvailed — 

"Site of Old Swan Tavern 

Where lived and died Jack Jouett, 

whose heroic ride saved 

Mr. Jefferson, the Governor, 

and the Virginia Assembly 

from capture by Tarleton 

June, 1781. 

Erected by the Monticello Branch 

of the Association for 

the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, 

1910." 



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Jack Jouett's ancestors were Huguenots, '^nd his father and he were 
leading citizens of Charlottesville, though there are none of the name in the 
town at the present time, the family having moved to Kentucky. The records 
that were saved from Tarleton show that John Jouett, Senior, owned much 
land in and around Charlottesville. There he erected the Old Swan Tavern, 
on the site where the Red Land Club now stands. It was an old wooden 
building, two storyed, with double porches, dormer windows and large sign 
before the door, which bore the picture of a swan — John Jouett, Senior, mar- 
ried Mourning Harris, a member of a prominent family of Brown's Cove, Albe- 
marle County. The Revolution soon began and John Jouett was among the 
first to advocate the doctrine of the Declaration of Independence, written by 
his neighbor and friend, Mr. Jefferson. 

He was a Captain in the Virginia State Militia. Four of his gallant sons 
were Captains in that war, an unusual record for a single family — five captians 
for the same army. He was also a signer of the Albemarle Declaration of In- 
dependence. John Jouett, Junior, the subject of this sketch, was a Captain in 
the same Militia and a signer too of the Albemarle Declaration of Independence 

For more than any other event of his life, Jack Jouett will be remember- 
ed for his daring ride from Cuckoo Tavern in Louisa County to Charlottesville, 
in the last year but one of the War for Independence. 

Early in the year 1781, the unfortunate Arnold was joined at Portsmouth, 
Virginia, by General Phillips with two thousand men who were sent there by 
Sir Henry Clinton, and soon they were at Manchester, across the James River 
from Richmond. General Phillips died and Arnold took command. Lord 
Cornwallis then invaded Virginia, and the forces united at Petersburg, without 
taking Richmond. These united forces encamped in Hanover County, on the 
North Anna River. Devastation of home and field followed in their wake. 
The Legislature fled from Williamsburg, the Capital, to Richmond and from 
there to Charlottesville, which became for a brief period the Capital of the 
State. There is reasonable proof that the very building is still standing in 
which the Assembly was sitting at the time of Jack Jouett. 

Lord Cornwallis now sent a detachment under Lieutenant-Colonel 
Tarleton to Charlottesville to seize the person of Governor Jefferson and to 
disperse the Legislature. 

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Among those legislators were three signers of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence—Richard Henry Lee, Thomas Nelson, Junior, and Benjamin Harrison, 
the ancestor of two Presidents — Patrick Henry, who some years previous had 
made old St. John's Richmond, echo with his speech, and the phrase "Give me 
liberty or give me death" was also among the legislators; and on the hill above 
the town was Governor Jefferson, who as the most learned was the most hated 
of the advocates of the triumphing new Democracy. All of these the British 
were eager to lay hands upon. 

Lieutenant-Colonel Tarleton was delighted when this order came from 
Cornwallis, and no doubt was pleased, on his road to Charlottesville, to think 
what a fine thing it would be to bring back, tied, the author of the Declaration 
of Independence, and to have him transported to Great Britain and tried for 
high treason. Colonel Tarleton came near succeeding. In his troop were one 
hundred and eighty of his own trusted dragoons, and seventy mounted infantry. 
They were all splendidly mounted on the best horses procured from the Vir- 
ginia plantations on the way. 

So Tarleton came swiftly with his legion and reached Cuckoo Tavern in 
Louisa County, about fifty miles from Charlottesville one June day. 

There happened to be at Cuckoo Tavern that June day, Jack Jouett, a 
citizen of Charlottesville, a jolly inkeeper fond of fine horses. It is thought 
that Jack Jouett had gone to attend to property he owned in Louisa County, 
as the record books show he had property there. One thing is known how- 
ever, and that is, he had captured a British dragoon and stripped him of his 
uniform. Concealing himself Jack heard Tarleton and his troopers, and di- 
vining their purpose, he leaped upon his horse, "said to have been the best 
bred and fleetest of foot of any nag in seven counties," he began a race that 
makes the midnight ride of Paul Revere seem trifling. 

On his ride that night to Charlottesville, Colonel Tarleton secured sever- 
al prisoners of importance; some at "Castle Hill," Doctor Walker's comfortable 
estate in Albemarle, where he decided to take breakfast. He ordered it ac- 
cordingly, but by the quick wit of Mrs. Walker, who it is thought, and believ- 
ed, was warned by Jack Jouett that Tarleton was on his way to Charlottesville, 
the Colonel did not breakfast as promptly as he had hoped. His troopers were 

[3] 



encouraged to raid the kitchen. The first breakfast was devoured by them, 
then the second, and when Colonel Tarleton complained he was told that his 
men had already taken two breakfasts and that if he wanted one for himself 
the kitchen would have to be placed under guard. This was done but he had 
been fatally detained. Of course this was a happy delay for Captain Jouett, 
who was on his way to Charlottesville and Monticello. 

Knowing the road that Tarleton had taken, Jack Jouett knew that for 
himself he would have to take a different way, if he made his mission certain. 
As he was familiar with every section of Albemarle and Louisa Counties, he 
had but little trouble in coming through, over byways and foot paths. He rode 
most all of the night, having left Cuckoo Tavern before midnight. We must 
remember those forty five or fifty miles were over an unused road that wound 
in and out among the hills and was obstructed by rocks and trees and interlac- 
ing vines. 

At dawn, the next morning, the fourth of June, he rode through Milton, 
the little village at the ford, just below Monticello, where Mr. Jefferson in after 
years received the marble capitals, from Italy, for his University, that were 
brought by boat up the James to the Rivanna Kiver. He spread the alarm at 
Milton, as he had done all along the way. He hastened up the hill to Monti- 
cello and gave the warning, without stopping for refreshments, except a glass 
of Mr. Jefferson's Maderia, and in his old age he used to laugh and say he 
would "do it again for another glass of Mr. Jefferson's Maderia." Then he 
rode on down to Charlottesville to warn the Assembly, which did not "stand 
on the order of going" but fled to Staunton. In the meantime Tarleton was 
doubtless picturing to himself how he would sweep into town unannounced. 

Lieutenant Hudson gave Mr. Jefferson a second alarm. Mr. Jefferson 
then sent his wife and children to Blenheim, the home of Col. Edward Carter, 
about six miles to the South. Mr, Jefferson then followed on horseback, and 
had not left the house more than ten minutes before the British entered, rid- 
ing horseback from front door to back door, through Mr. Jefferson's home, 
Monticello. 

Jack Jouett had saved Mr. Jefferson, Virginia's Governor, from capture! 
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The ride was the greatest act of Jack Jouett's life. Seldom has it been 
equalled in the history of the world, and never we believe has there been more 
at stake then there was on that momentous fourth of June. Mr. Jefferson 
would have been taken in fetters to England and doubtless have died an arch 
traitor to the King. Perhaps there would have been no United States; and 
certainly there would have been no University of Virginia. Bravely he rode 
and bravely he lived. His ride was more hazardous, more trying, and beset by 
graver difficulties than were those fifteen miles of Paul Revere. Through a 
region of markedly broken topography, through wood and river, hill and val- 
ley, through pit-fall and quagmire, through a region infested of the enemy, he 
rode. But with it all no Longfellow has come to sing of him. However the 
tribe of poets has not died with Longfellow. There was one on the staff of the 
Charlottesville Daily Progress on October 26, 1909, at the time of the unveiling 
of the tablet to the memory of Jack Jouett. Unfortunately the name of the 
poet is unknown. 



"Hearken good people; awhile abide 

And hear H*e stout Jack Jouett's ride; 

How he rushed his steed, nor stopped nor stayed 

"Till he warned the people of Tarleton's Raid." 

The moment his warning note was rehearsed 
The State Assembly was quickly dispersed. 

In their haste to escape they did not stop 
Until they had crossed the mountain top. 
And upon the other side come down 
To resume their sessions in Staunton town. 



His panting steed he spurred. 

In haste to carry the warning word K^^f^"^ 

To that greatest statesman of any age, ^ 

The immortal Monticello Sage. V"* 



Here goes to thee, Jack Jouett! j 

Lord keep thy mem'ry green; J^ 

You made the greatest ride, sir '^^/^ 

That ever yet was seen." / .J -^ 



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From Mr. Jefferson's "Miscellaneous Papers," is the following: 

"Learning that the Legislature was in session in Charlottes- 
ville, they detached Colonel Tarleton with his legion of horse 
to surprise them. As he was passing through Louisa on the 
evening of the 3rd of June, he was observed by Mr. Jouett 
who suspecting the object, set out immediately for Char- 
lottesville, and knowing the by-ways of the neighborhood, 
passed the enemy's encampment, rode all night, and before 
sunrise on the 4th called at Monticello with notice of what 
he had seen and passed on to Charlottesville to notify the 
members of the Legislature." 

In Mr. Jefferson's own words Jack Jouett's Ride is verified. 

The following resolution was passed by the Virginia Assembly on the 
12th of June for the gallant service of Capt. Jack Jouett: 

"Resolved: That the Executive be desired to present to 
Capt. John Jouett an elegant sword and pair of pistols, as 
a memorial of the sense which the General Assembly enter- 
tain of his activity and enterprise in watching the motions 
of the enemy'e cavalry on their late incursion to Charlottes- 
ville, and conveying to the Assembly timely information of 
their approach, whereby the designs of the enemy were 
frustrated, and many valuable stores preserved" 

Whether citizen or soldier he deserved well of his country-men and 
much of his Country. 

At Charlottesville Colonel Tarleton was hardly more fortunate than at 
Monticello. He caught seven tardy members of the Assembly, but found the 
most important stores were hidden away. 

General Stevens, one of the Delegates, had the narrowest excape of all. 
He had been ill at the Old Swan Tavern, and but for the invincible Jouett 
would have been taken also. The two started out the road to Staunton, whence 
the Legislature had fled and were soon spied by the raiders. Captain Jouett 
had on an officer's cap with a showy plume; General Stevens shabbily dress- 
ed, rode along leisurely and unconcernedly, and the dragoons again lost their 
game by mistaking the old gentleman for a farmer, who got away through the 
woods. Captain Jouett whom they thought was an officer of great impor- 
tance, fled precipitously and proved himself again too swift for taking. 

[6] 



I 



When the War ended Captain Jouett laid aside his "elegant sword," 
his cap and plume and braided coat forever. He continued the old Tavern, 
and around its big fireplace on wintry evenings, and on its large front porch 
on summer afternoons, there gathered the remnants of his former townsmen, 
and between the filling and emptying of pipes came story after story. Captain 
Jouett knew his from personal experience. 

Jack Jouett died in 18tff and was buried in the back yard of the Swan 
Tavern. As late as 1824 the grave could be pointed out; and in the Central Ga- 
zette, a paper published in the town, there appeard on October the 18, 1824, 
an earnest appeal to the citizens of Charlottesville to erect a stone over the 
grave; but the appeal was unheeded, and the exact spot where he was buried 
is not now known and never will be. At the time of his death (.1802) there 
was no public place of burial in Charlottesville , or the immediate vicinity and 
according to the custom of that day he was buried in the yard in the rear of 
the house. 

And yet the "Ride of Paul Revere" has been for a hundred years com. 
memorated in Boston as one of the most notable incidents of the Revolutionary 
struggle, while the far more important and memorable "ride" of Jack Jouett 
is, at this late day, knocking for recognition at the doors, the homes, the hearts 
of the people of the United States, but in particular of the people of Virginia. 



I 



Reference for the above facts:— See a volume entitled "John Jouett, 
Junior," in the Library of the University of Virginia— access to which was ob. 
tained through the courtesy of Mrs. Ella^Watsoa Joh 



Written for 



4/' M •/cT 




Jack Jouett Chapter 
Daughters of ihe American Revolution. 



[7] 



Charlottesville, Va. 



LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 




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